Embattled CNN boss Chris Licht issued a groveling apology to network staffers on a daily editorial call Monday morning, days after an embarrassing profile was published. 

It was the first time Licht, 51, spoke publicly to his employees since the self-aggrandizing profile in The Atlantic revealed his doubts with the direction of the news network during his first year at the helm.

He spoke out on the record about CNN’s approach to covering former President Donald Trump before he took over last year, and said it alienated viewers with its coverage of COVID-19.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is said to have been displeased with the piece, entitled ‘Inside the Meltdown at CNN,’ and agreed it was mishandled, according to those familiar with his thinking who spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity.

Chris Licht, 51, issued a groveling apology to CNN staffers amid calls for his resignation after a scathing profile piece revealed his doubts with the news network’s direction

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav (pictured last month) is said to have been displeased with the profile piece

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav (pictured last month) is said to have been displeased with the profile piece

In the profile, Licht spoke out about CNN's approach to covering former President Donald Trump before he took over last year, and said it alienated viewers with its coverage of COVID-19 as he offered a journalist unfettered access

In the profile, Licht spoke out about CNN’s approach to covering former President Donald Trump before he took over last year, and said it alienated viewers with its coverage of COVID-19 as he offered a journalist unfettered access

In his brief remarks, the CNN boss said he did not recognize himself in the 15,000-word piece, but said understands employees’ frustrations and is intent on earning employees’ trusts, according to sources.

He also admitted: ‘I should not be in the news unless it’s taking arrows for you.’

But Licht did not say why he agreed to participate in The Atlantic’s profile and have reporter Tim Alberta follow him from personal training sessions at the gym to backstage CNN programming meetings. 

And he gave no indication that he plans to step aside from the top position at the network despite calls for his resignation. 

Licht offered no indication that he plans to step aside from the top role at the news network

Licht offered no indication that he plans to step aside from the top role at the news network

Licht started off his remarks Monday by congratulating Jake Tapper for his town hall with presidential candidate Nikki Haley before he started discussing the profile.

‘I know these past few days have been very hard for this group,’ he said, according to former staffer Brian Stelter. 

‘I fully recognize that this news cycle and my role in it overshadowed the incredible week of reporting that we just had and distracted from the work of every single journalist in this org. And for that, I am sorry.’

He continued to say that ‘there are parts of that article and characterizations made where I don’t recognize myself. But there are those of you who do.

‘This experience has been tremendously humbling,’ Licht said. 

‘As I read that article, I found myself thinking CNN is not about me,’ he continued. ‘I should not be in the news unless I’m taking arrows for you. Your work is what should be written about.’

Licht then promised to win back staff members’ trust ‘because you deserve a leader who will be in the trenches, fighting to ensure CNN remains the world’s most trusted name in news.’ 

After he spoke, Virginia Moseley, a top CNN editorial executive, took over the call, saying: ‘We all agree with you, Chris, that what makes this place so special is those reporters and that reporting.’

Staff members at CNN have expressed shock at the access Alberta had to the CEO and some remarks he made about the networks’ coverage of certain events.

One staffer told The Hollywood Reporter the profile offered a lot of ‘tea leaves’ that employees were analyzing and debating, while another said they felt they learned more about Licht’s direction for the network from the piece than they did from his own internal town halls. 

Licht took over at the helm of CNN last year, but its ratings have remained historically low

Licht took over at the helm of CNN last year, but its ratings have remained historically low

Licht took over at the helm of CNN last year, but its ratings have remained historically low as he and other executives work to maintain a prime-time audience while also launching new morning programs.

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